If you desire a safe place, where you can be truly authentic, met with empathy and compassion, and at times, the healing power of laughter, I would very much like to work with you. My name is Brad, and I have been a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Michigan for almost 20 years, and am also a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC). I have a passion for helping women and men experience a compassionate, safe place to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, grief and loss, alcohol and substance issues: especially if they are related to traumatic experiences. I enjoy working with adults who are seeking another pair of ears as they navigate difficult or challenging changes in their lives, be it regarding relationships, career decisions, dealing with trauma, using alcohol or drugs, grief, or whatever other challenges life might be throwing your way. Using a collaborative approach, a variety of evidenced based techniques, laughter and sometimes tears, I will guide you to achieve your goals. If you are ready to make positive changes in how you cope with the stress that life brings, I am ready to help you on that journey. Schedule a session today so that we can get started!
Our first session together will start with introductions so that we can get to know each other, hopefully, helping me gain your trust and confidence. Then I will want to hear about you and the issues which lead you to be talking with me. From there, we'll develop a plan of action to address these issues which will guide our future sessions together.
One of my strengths is my experience, not only as a Professional Counselor, but also with lived experience. Whatever your challenges, difficulties, or shortcomings, chances are good that I can relate at some level (directly or indirectly, personally or professionally). Another of my strengths is that I tend to be candid and forthright with my clients. I have been described by past clients as a "straight shooter," or that I "tell it like it is," yet, my clients would almost never question my compassion and care. They will say that I always "have their back," and know that I am genuine in desiring the very best outcomes for them. I strongly believe in the healing power of laughter and tears, and am very comfortable sharing both with my clients, sometimes in the same session!
Many people have had traumatic, stressful, or violent events in their past, but sometimes, our memories of these events get 'stuck,' which makes it difficult to move past the event, and it continues to have unfortunate power over the way we feel or think. I have had great results using EMDR to help people reprocess these memories so they can move past the experience, giving the unfortunate experience less control in their life.
DBT helps people learn to cope with emotional pain, and to respond to painful situations effectively. Although developed for people with borderline personality disorder, I find that just about everybody can benefit from DBT.
All of us, at times, run into problems caused by, or made more difficult by our mindset. Sometimes, we make a big deal out of nothing; sometimes we minimize something of significance; maybe we looking at a situation as being 'black or white,' missing shades of gray; or perhaps we're jumping to conclusions. CBT gives us tools to examine our thoughts and mindset, which can help us reframe the situation and help us navigate it more effectively.
Everyone experiences losses which hurt. Whether your loss was recent or some time ago, I can give you a safe space to process your memories and feelings regarding your loss, and hopefully, find a place of acceptance and the courage to move on with life.